The Batavia Muckdogs will be celebrating the 15th anniversary of being called the Muckdogs at their home opener Monday night. The first pitch of the 2012 season will be thrown at 7:05p.m. at Dwyer stadium.

Some former mascots will be making an appearance. General Manager Travis Sick talks about the history of the minor league baseball team.

“Before the Muckdogs, the team was named the Clippers for a while. Baseball has been in Batavia since 1939 so we’ve gone through multiple name changes from the Trojans, the Indians, the Pirates, the Clippers,” said Sick.

Sick said 15 years ago the teams name was changed during a name the team contest. WBTA’s Sports Play by Play Commentator Jay Moran won the contest with the name “The Muckdogs."

Moran will be throwing out the first pitch Monday night.

Muckdogs PA Announcer Wayne Fuller said according to the team statistics there are high expectations for the team this year.

“Well it’s been up and down over the years, that’s the thing with minor league baseball you never know what you’re going to get. Since we’ve been with the Cardinals it’s like we’re good one year and down the other and this year would be the progression for being up. Looking at their roster they have a lot of high College draft picks, some big players, I don’t know if big counts, I mean tall, I don’t know if that’s a help or not a help, but we’ll find out as they play,” said Fuller.

The Muckdogs will play the Auburn Double Days Monday night.

All of their home games and many away games can be heard here on WBTA.